Fourteen pupils from Wayland Academy, Watton, had their enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) ignited with a day of designing and building model rocket-powered cars.

Fourteen pupils from Wayland Academy, Watton, had their enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and maths ignited with a day of designing and building model rocket-powered cars.

The youngsters, from years seven to nine, were representing the school at the regional final of the Model Rocket Car Challenge at RAF Honington.

The event is organised by Bloodhound, the engineering team behind the most recent attempt at breaking the land speed record, set up the national competition to inspire a generation of engineers.

After coming second in a regional heat at Peterborough, the Wayland Academy pupils were proud to have made it to the Regional Final.

Their car rocketed through the one metre speed measurement zone in just 64.2 milliseconds but unfortunately it was not quite enough to see the academy progress to the national final.

Amanda Todd, intervention group teaching assistant at the school, said: “Our students had an amazing day at RAF Honington and we are very proud of their achievement in making it to the regional final.

“We will definitely be entering again next year, and hope to do even better next time around. The Bloodhound Model Rocket Car Challenge has been a brilliant way to get students thinking about STEM-related careers.”

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